9 Ways to Experience Luxury in London on a Budget

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

After interning at SmarterTravel, Ashley joined the team full time in 2015. She's lived on three continents, but still never knows where her next adventure will take her. She's always searching for upcoming destination hotspots, secluded retreats, and hidden gems to share with the world.

Ashley's stories have been featured online on USA Today, Business Insider, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, Jetsetter, and Yahoo! Travel, as well as other publications.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A reusable filtered water bottle—it saves you money, keeps you hydrated, and eliminates waste—win-win."

High tea, classical art, royal palaces, gin samplings, and fine dining are all activities that come to mind when you’re planning a trip to London—and they all come with a hefty price tag. But with a little local knowledge, you can still experience the “Londoner’s London” on a budget—crown jewels not included.

How to Have a Luxury Trip to London on a Budget

Key ways to see the best of London on a budget include finding discounts on shows, exploring vintage markets, and capitalizing on freebies all over the city.

Related:

Get a Free Gin Lesson

Skip a gin tasting or distillery tour and instead grab a cocktail at The Distillery at Hilton London Bankside. The friendly bartenders are happy to chat about everything, from the restaurant’s location in a former fragrance factory and the Prohibition-era roots of a gin fizz to classical distilling methods and new-age gin labels.

Explore London’s Neighborhoods with a Self-Guided Walking Tour

Depending on which side of London you want to see, chose from this selection of free self-guided walking tours (the company also offers pay-as-you-go guided tours as well). From royal London to James Bond themes, a walking tour is the ultimate way to see luxury London on a budget. The most expensive neighborhoods in London include Kensington, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, West Brompton, and Notting Hill.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to walk, you can hop on the double-decker public bus (some of the vintage-looking ones are still in service) with this self-guided tour.

Check out its London location in the West End in Russell Square. Splurge on a private room (starting around $60 USD per night) for luxury on a budget. The private rooms offered are about the size of your typical hotel room with complimentary towels, private sink, desk and chair, and an option of an en-suite bathroom (at an additional cost). Travelers love the contemporary lounge and bar areas, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, location, and “travel shop” that offers discounted tickets and a free guided walking tour.

See a Show at a Discounted Price

Bikeworldtravel / Shutterstock.com

Nothing screams glamour like a night at the theater in London’s West End. While top shows mean hefty ticket prices, there are ways to see a show in London on a budget. Consider going for a matinee, purchasing a standing-room-only ticket, or going on a weekday—all of these options offer significant savings.

Related:

Go to High Tea a la Carte

Instead of booking an expensive afternoon high tea at The Langham or Fortnum & Mason, go to the Dean Street Townhouse in Soho, which offers a la carte pricing—so you can have high tea like a queen, but on your budget. Other places to have high tea in London on a budget include Orange Pekoe and even the rooftop on Selfridges during the summer.

Grab a Pint at a Local Pub

Chrispictures / Shutterstock.com

Head to one of London’s glitzy neighborhoods, like Chelsea or Kensington, and visit a local pub—my favorites in Kensington are Builder’s Arms and Queen’s Arms. You can mingle with locals, enjoy the outdoor beer garden (weather permitting, of course), and grab some fish ‘n’ chips. Prices at neighborhood pubs will often be cheaper than ones in touristy neighborhoods.

Trending on Smarter Travel

SmarterTravel.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. SmarterTravel.com also participates in the SkimLinks and SkimWords affiliate programs.